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Betsy Blair

Acting Born Dec 11, 1923 Cliffside Park, New Jersey, USA 24 credits

Biography

Betsy Blair -December 11, 1923 – March 13, 2009) was an American actress of film and stage, long based in London. Blair pursued a career in entertainment from the age of eight, and as a child worked as an amateur dancer, performed on radio, and worked as a model, before joining the chorus of Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe in 1940. There she met Gene Kelly. They were married the following year, when she was seventeen years old. The couple divorced sixteen years later, in 1957. After work in the theatre, Blair began her film career playing supporting roles in films such as A Double Life (1947) and Another Part of the Forest (1948). Her interest in Marxism led to an investigation by the House Un-American Activities Committee and Blair was blacklisted for some time, but resumed her career with a critically acclaimed performance in Marty (1955), winning a BAFTA Award and a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued her career with regular theatre, film and television work until the mid 1990s.

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Known for

Great Performances

as Self

The Philco Television Playhouse

1948
Film

Sansho the Bailiff

as Linda
Film

Sansho the Bailiff

as Mrs. Winemiller
Film

Sansho the Bailiff

as Susan Stringham
Film

Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There

as Self

Full filmography

  • Great Performances (1971) as Self
  • Tales of the Unexpected (1979) as Mrs Wilbur
  • The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
  • BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Linda
  • BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Mrs. Winemiller
  • BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Susan Stringham
  • thirtysomething (1987)
  • Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) as Self
  • Scarlett (1994) as Sister of Mercy
  • The Dolphins (1960) as Contessa Rita Cherè
  • Marty (1955) as Clara Snyder
  • Shades of Greene (1975) as Bobbie
  • Betrayed (1988) as Gladys Simmons
  • No Way Out (1950) as Telephone Operator (uncredited)
  • Meeting in Paris (1956) as Nancy Blanding
  • The Snake Pit (1948) as Hester (uncredited)
  • Mystery Street (1950) as Jackie Elcott
  • Descent Into Hell (1986) as Mrs. Burns
  • Kind Lady (1951) as Ada Elcott
  • A Double Life (1947) as Girl in Wig Shop
  • Suspicion (1987) as Lady McLaidlaw
  • Careless (1962) as Amalia Brentani
  • Il Grido (1957) as Elvia
  • The Halliday Brand (1957) as Martha Halliday